What Can You Do With a Degree in Political Science?

[pr surfer]

With a political science degree (or really any Bachelors degree) you can go to law school

 

[DelaneyRose]

Get a job at the Political Science Factory.....(right next door to the "Sociologists R Us" and across the street from "Philosophy Inc.")

After I graduated with a minor in Political Science I spent the first year working at the Mall of Liberal Arts.

 

[agentpleakley]

Poli Sci major here (minor Public Administration)

Out of college: I interviewed for a lobbying job but couldn't afford salary and living in DC. I ended up working in the city manager's officer of a large metro area.

Then -- I went to law school.

I loved my major so I'm glad I have it -- if I had to do it all again -- I'd probably become a pharmacist - eventhough I hated chemistry, etc.

 

[Shannon G]

With a political science degree (or really any Bachelors degree) you can go to law school

That's what I did with mine...

 

[pr surfer]

That's what I did with mine...

I'm considering going to law school since as an artist/graphic designer, I've become quite fascinated with intellectual property laws, and artists/photographers rights.

BFA (done), MA/MBA (getting closer!), JD... that would be quite an interesting progression

 

[Aisling]

My son has a BA in Political Science, and is one semester away from his Masters. In three weeks he's going to Rome to study International Peacekeeping for the summer, and interning at the US Embassy.

Also, in October, he's going to Washington DC to some kind of event sponsored by his university that introduces students to various government agency employees. This helps the students narrow down exactly where their interests lie.

If you're interested in world affairs, and would be willing to move to where government agencies are (even overseas), a degree in Political Science would be very valuable!

Good luck!

 

[JVL1018]

My brother in law has a Political Science degree and went on to get his law degree.
He's also a local politician, so it worked out for him.

My husband, when he was in school, was strongly encouraged by his professors in that area to get a political science degree because he is great at all that stuff, but he had an accountant job already(he went back to school as an adult), and was like what am I going to do with a degree in poly sci?
He got his accounting degree.

 

[pixie dust 112]

I have a degree in Political Science and I am a lawyer. I have a general practice firm, but at least half of my work is in the field of municipal law.

 

[daisax]

I was thinking maybe I could teach political science at the college level. I really just don't want to have the pressures put on me in public education.

Believe me, the pressures of college level academia are worse - at least for the first 25 years or so!

 

[emma'smom]

Believe me, the pressures of college level academia are worse - at least for the first 25 years or so!

Wow....25 years or so? Why that long? I teach at a college and I'm finally feeling like I'm settled in a bit (just got tenure) and can breath a little. What's coming that I need to anticipate?

 

[scooter15]

Believe me, the pressures of college level academia are worse - at least for the first 25 years or so!

I agree because I had first hand knowledge working side by side with professors at the university I worked for. Coming from a very well known large University, professors are constantly pressured to look for research or to solicit $ from rich families or companies. If you fail to bring in so much $ then life is hard. You add that with trying to teach classes, deal with students, and get published...no wonder some of the professors I worked for were ...well...nasty people.

 

[Liberty Belle]

My uncle got his degree in Political Science and he's now the director of his town's United Way.

My son wants to major in it, as well. So far he just says he wants to be a U.S. Representative. He's only just about to turn 15, so he has some time to decide.

 

[GypsySue]

I got my BA in BS--er--I mean Political Science. Trust me, you can do anything with that degree! Don't let a specific field of study limit your possibilities.

 

[disney_momma21]

DH and I both have our degrees in Poli Sci. DH went onto law school (family law) and I was planning on attending law school myself, but DS came along. However, I am now currently working for a political campaign.

 

[pr surfer]

I am now currently working for a political campaign.

me too! What a small message board

 

[rachel3]

my dh has a degree in pol sci, and now has his j. d. he was top 3rd in law school and still had trouble finding a job. i guess it depends on what you want to do with it, but my dh feels like he should have majored in finance or accounting bc he wants to practice real estate law and is having a hard time finding work with the economy so poor.

 

[Alaska DogCat]

I have a degree in Public Administration (a specialty within Poli Sci). I work as an Information Technology Manager. My degree gave me an academic background in project management and consensus theory that I use every day in my job. I've had the chance to combine this education with my interest in technology to do some really cool projects that have improved health care in some of the remotest parts of our country. I couldn't have done it without my education--despite the fact that I don't work in 'my major.'

Nothing you ever learn is wasted. Go with what you feel passionate about--if it's Political Science, get a degree in it and you will find a way to apply to it.

 

[chisnpeke]

Thank you EVERYONE for your input!

 

[agentpleakley]

my dh has a degree in pol sci, and now has his j. d. he was top 3rd in law school and still had trouble finding a job. i guess it depends on what you want to do with it, but my dh feels like he should have majored in finance or accounting bc he wants to practice real estate law and is having a hard time finding work with the economy so poor.

I attended a CLE a couple months back and one topic was the lack of jobs for attorneys, the decrease in average atty salary, and the rising cost of law school (aka student loan debt). Combine this with excessive work load, does not a pretty picture make. Law school accept way too many applicants- - the market is flooded with attorneys. In 1995, I graduated with 131 in my class - my guess is that over a third never practiced law. I totally understand, after 13 years, I am so reaching career burnout. I never thought I would say this- but after working 17 weekends in a row (12 to 14 hour days every Saturday & Sunday), my ecstasy over finally going to get a break over Memorial Day was blown yesterday and I will now be bringing home work yet again.

 

[disney_momma21]

me too! What a small message board

I work for a local political campaign here in my town. Our candidate was vying for the county commissioner seat. You have to love small town politics!